The museum’s highest honor, the Lifetime Trustee Award is presented to individuals who have demonstrated outstanding service to the museum.

“These three women epitomize the qualities that this honor recognizes based on their outstanding commitment to and leadership of the Albany Museum of Art, and their many years of continuous service,” said Banks Margeson, president of the museum’s board of directors.

Anna Louise McCormack and Bee McCormack served as co-chairpersons for the campaign steering committee that raised one million dollars in 1978 to build the museum.

Anna Louise McCormack retired as secretary, treasurer and chief financial officer of Bob’s Candies, founded by her father. She served as president of the Albany Concert Association, vice president of the Albany Area Arts Council and co-chairman of the United Way. McCormack served on the board for the Albany Symphony Orchestra, the Dougherty County Library, the Chamber of Commerce and the Salvation Army.

Bee McCormack retired as senior vice president/director of packaging for Bob’s Candies. She served as president of the Albany Symphony Association, the Albany Concert Association and was the first chairman of the Albany Area Arts Campaign. McCormack was a founding director of the Albany Easter Seals Organization, the Albany Area Arts Council, the Albany Symphony and the Mt. Zion Civil Rights Museum and various other civic organizations.

Jane Willson and the late Harry Willson donated the money to build the museum’s auditorium. She is president of Sunnyland Farms and has served on a number of boards in Albany, including the Chamber of Commerce, Flint River Center Partners, and the Albany/Dougherty Inner City Authority, for which she served as chairman. A noted philanthropist, Mrs. Willson supports a number of art, health and youth organizations and is a Charity League Life Member.

The women will be honored at a reception recently at the Albany Museum of Art.

The Albany Museum of Art houses a collection that includes 19th and 20th century American and European art as well as a substantial collection of sub-Saharan African art including masks, sculpture, pottery, textiles, and musical instruments.

The Albany Museum of Art is accredited by the American Association of Museums. The museum is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free. For more information about the AMA please visit our website, www.albanymuseum.com or call (229) 439-8400.